Darlington County School District
Business Engagement
&
Career Development Initiatives
The Darlington County School District is committed to educating, empowering, and preparing all for an ever-changing world. This mission includes assisting our students in exploring multiple paths to success and introducing them to career development as early as possible.
Internships
The Darlington County School District is providing life-changing opportunities for its students through partnerships with the business community. 473 students have earned over $550, 032 in 4 years! Become a Key to Career partner and make a difference.
ASCEND
Advanced Student Career Exploration & Needs Development
The ASCEND Program for 8th grade students piloted in the Spring of 2023 and will now serve all 8th graders in our District. Each student will participate in four industry tours on-site with a partner organization like Genesis Healthcare, Nucor Steel, Sonoco Products Company, and more. Students get the opportunity to see first hand what organizations make up Darlington County and the many future career opportunities they will have. Visits include active learning activities and lunch!
Career Time Tuesday
Darlington County School District recently began a new career exploration program with our 5th grade students called Career Time Tuesday. Speakers in various fields visit one of our elementary schools and discuss career opportunities in their field, what is required to have that career, and their recommendations for students who want those careers. The program gives students a jump start on future career possibilities.
Partner with us!
Some of the many ways you can choose to partner:
Offer a paid internship
Become a host site for the ASCEND program for 8th graders
Host a tour at your organization
Speak to a class or group of educators
Participate in career fairs
Mentor students
Serve on a DCIT Advisory Board
Volunteer at one of our schools
Dr. Shannon Flowers
Business Engagement Coordinator
Darlington County School District
(843) 398-6214 | shannon.flowers@darlington.k12.sc.us
120 East Smith Avenue, Darlington, SC 29532
CONTACT OUR OFFICE
Shannon Flowers, Ph.D., is the Business Engagement Coordinator for Darlington County School District. In this role, she serves as a liaison between the business community and the school district, opening doors for work-based learning opportunities for students. She coordinates the District’s Key to Career Program and ASCEND program, and also oversees our new Career Time Tuesday program for 5th graders. All of these programs seek to strengthen businesses, the local workforce, and communities, through internships, career awareness activities, and relationship-building. Shannon works closely with community leaders and helps facilitate the relationship between Darlington County Schools and the Darlington County Economic Development Progress Board. Shannon is also the point of contact for any organization seeking an audience with our students or administrators in regard to career development and/or mentorship.
Are you an organization interested in visiting or presenting in our schools? Click HERE!
Nicki Spears
Darlington County Virtual Academy School Counselor
Part-time Program Counselor for Business Engagement & Career Development
Darlington County School District
(843) 326-7546 | nicki.spears@darlington.k12.sc.us
120 East Smith Avenue, Darlington, SC 29532
Nicki Spears has worked for Darlington County School District for several years, most recently as the school counselor for the Darlington County Virtual Academy. In the fall of 2024 she was asked to split her time between the Virtual Academy and assisting Dr. Flowers with our programs. She is the lead contact for Career Time Tuesday and has brought a myriad of knowledge and new partnerships with her to enhance the career engagement and development of our students.
Are you an organization interested in visiting or presenting in our schools? Click HERE!